By Lilian Mellejor/PNA
DAVAO CITY — What’s in a name?
Apparently, a big deal for Compostela Valley Governor Jayvee Tyron-Uy, who called on his constituents to vote “Yes” on the measure seeking to rename the province to Davao de Oro in a plebiscite next year.
This after the Senate approved on Monday the province’s proposed name, which Uy said aptly describe the province being home of the country’s high-grade gold and rich natural resources.
Uy said the House of Representatives approved the new name sometime in August, and the plebiscite will be held during the 2019 midterm elections.
“Pray we will all say “yes” to a new name and to a new direction,” Uy said, adding the change of name is primarily motivated by the province’s desire to be associated with the Davao Region.
“While our province, by virtue of geographical division, is part of the Davao Region, we are the only province with no “Davao” on its name. This caused confusion as to where ComVal is located. Others would associate us with Cagayan Valley in Luzon or Compostela town in Cebu,” he argued.
With Davao de Oro as its name, the governor hopes the “improved” name recognition would pave way for the influx of investments.
“We are overwhelmed with the fast passage of this bill. We sincerely thank the sponsor, Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri and Senator Sonny Angara who referred the bill to the plenary. Now that both houses of Congress already approved the bill, we will wait for President Rodrigo Duterte to sign it,” he said.
Prior to Monday’s approval of the Senate, Uy and the Compostela Valley official held a soft launch for “Davao de Oro campaign” coinciding with the opening of the Diwanag Festival on Friday night in Montevista town.
Compostela Valley province is turning 20 years old in March 2019 after it was carved out from Davao del Norte.
During the American era, the Compostela Valley was part of the “Davao tribal ward”. After World War 2, it was integrated into the undivided Davao Province until it became part of Davao del Norte.
Uy said the province has faced many challenges and major devastation, landslide incidents, and the super Typhoon Pablo–“yet, it stands stronger.”
In saying goodbye to the province’s old name, Uy said, “We do not forget where we come from for 19 years with all the successes of the province.”
“For this we give meaning in overcoming the valleys of life. Bisag unsa pa kalisod naagian nibarog gihapon ta (Even how hard it is, we still stand),” he said.
Under a new name, Uy said the province will also sport a new tagline: Living Treasure.
“We are abundant in gold and natural resources. We are also number two richest province in the whole Philippines according to COA (Commission on Audit). We also have the people to sustain developments,” he said.
In terms of business competitiveness, the province climbed from the 67 ranking in 2016 to 30 in 2017.
“Meaning daghan nag invest sa probinsya. Paspas and development (Meaning, many invested in the province. It is fast developing),” he said.
